Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Here at BEING, we enjoy sharing the best of everything with you. Beginning this weekend, the spirit of Christmas will add beautiful sights, scents and sounds to our world. As music lovers, the latter is especially important, so here are our top picks for new Christmas music in various genres from Pop to Rock, and from Classical to Country, with a little something thrown in for the kids. Remember, everyone loves the gift of music!

Colbie Caillat's first Christmas album was
bound to happen sooner or later. This multi-Grammy Award winner from Malibu,
California has spent many a Christmas in sand and surf. The idea for this
album, conceived on a beach in Hawaii, led to funny songs about Santa surfing,
the elves frolicking in the water and Colbie dancing on the beach. It's
Christmas in a funny, wacky way that's sure to be a hit with teens, young
adults and everyone who's young at heart.

This album with Danny Wright on the piano is the perfect
Christmas gift for a sophisticated lady who's turned on by the music of David
Lanz, Beethoven, Gershwin or Sondheim. Named by Billboard as one of the Top 10
New Age Artists, Danny Wright plays Christmas favorites from “Silent Night” to
“Winter Wonderland” in his own elegant, inimitable way.

Only Christmas songs from a
classical-crossover artist like Katherine Jenkins can overwhelm you with sound
and spirit. The two-time Classical BRIT Awardee puts together an album that is
a captivating mix of traditional holiday favorites and contemporary carols from
around the world, including one featuring Placido Domingo.

Christmas always brings back thoughts of
home. These songs by GRAMMY® Award winner Lady Antebellum will make every
grownup wish he or she were home for Christmas. This chart-busting country pop
trio puts together 12 traditional Christmas songs with the unique vocal blend
that has won them almost every country music award there is.

Only one of the top 100 Greatest Singers of
All Time can make your Christmas rock the way Rod Stewart does. The Rock 'n
Roll Hall of Fame inductee has released the first Christmas album of his career
including duets with Michael Buble and Ella Fitzgerald.

Piano sensation, singer and composer Fiona
Joy Hawkins brings the Celtic and New Age rhythms to Christmas songs. She puts
together the sounds of the Australian didgeridoo, Paraguayan harp, and other
instruments to give Christmas music an entirely new slant. Also available in Super Audio (SA-CD), it will delight audiophiles everywhere!

Taking their famous jazz sound, the Lounge
Lizards have given Christmas a Bossa Nova style, adding a warm tropical rhythm
to old favorites like “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”, “Jingle Bells” and
“Frosty the Snowman”.

Kids of all ages will love this reissue
with different mixes and takes that will make their favorite characters live
again in music and song. Don't be surprised if it brings back memories of
watching A Charlie Brown Christmas with your family many Christmases ago.

And speaking of shopping, the ironic and iconic image above is of a 40-ft. high Christmas tree made of shopping carts, taken in Venice Beach last year. Merry Christmas everyone!

We enjoyed reviewer John Olsen's review of the lovely Ms. Susan Boyle so much that we wanted to share it with you over this holiday break. We hope you'll take the time to relax and enjoy...

Standing Ovation: The Greatest Songs From The Stage by Susan Boyle

It can be said the life story of Susan Boyle is an inspiration to those who know her best, but by all accounts, Susan Boyle is an inspiration to untold millions of people worldwide. It’s as if her sudden rise to stardom after appearing on the television reality show Britain’s Got Talent was meant to be, if not a dream come true.

Now with the prominence of a top ranked seasoned professional, best-selling albums, and top of the chart success covering five continents in over twenty countries, once again she is destined to sing her way into the hearts of millions. (Click here to continue reading....)